The government has only itself to blame for the “lost opportunity” to take ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co into custody and must now work double-time to bring him back, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.
Lacson said Philippine authorities now face an embarrassing situation after failing to act promptly despite receiving timely information of Co’s apprehension by authorities in the Czech Republic.
“Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself. Failing to act with dispatch after having been timely informed of ex-Cong. Zaldy Co’s apprehension by the Czech authorities now puts the government in an embarrassing situation,” he said.
“Government must now exert extra effort and work double time to bring him back not only to redeem itself from this lapse but to show its sincerity and seriousness in bringing Co and his co-conspirators to justice,” he added.
In Filipino: Lacson: Gobyerno, Kailangang Magdoble Kayod para Makabawi sa ‘Pagkawala’ ni Zaldy Co
Earlier Tuesday, Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed that Co is no longer in Czech custody, after he was held for immigration violations.
Vida said Co was released after being accosted last April 16 and is now free somewhere in Europe.
Lacson earlier said he plans to invite Co to the next hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the flood control scandal, saying he could provide key insights as he has been described as the architect of the flood control anomalies.
“He has been described as the architect of the mess, by inserting and allocating funds particularly to the Department of Public Works and Highways,” he said.
Once Co is in the Philippines and with court clearance, Lacson said he plans to have Co attend the hearing and face off with former soldiers including Orly Guteza – and even former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez – “so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying.”
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Lacson: Gobyerno, Kailangang Magdoble Kayod para Makabawi sa ‘Pagkawala’ ni Zaldy Co
Wala nang ibang dapat sisihin ang gobyerno kundi ang sarili para sa nasayang na pagkakataon upang maisailalim sa kustodiya si ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co – at dapat na nitong mag-doble kayod para makabawi, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore at Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes.
Ani Lacson, nahaharap ngayon ang mga awtoridad ng Pilipinas sa nakakahiyang sitwasyon matapos mabigo silang kumilos agad sa kabila ng napapanahong impormasyon hinggil sa pagkahuli kay Co sa Czech Republic.
“Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself. Failing to act with dispatch after having been timely informed of ex-Cong. Zaldy Co’s apprehension by the Czech authorities now puts the government in an embarrassing situation,” he said.
“Government must now exert extra effort and work double time to bring him back not only to redeem itself from this lapse but to show its sincerity and seriousness in bringing Co and his co-conspirators to justice,” dagdag niya.
Nitong Martes, kinumpirma ni Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida na wala na sa kustodiya ng Czech Republic si Co, matapos itong maaresto dahil sa paglabag sa immigration laws.
Ayon kay Vida, pinalaya si Co matapos itong sitahin noong nakaraang Abril 16 at kasalukuyan nang malaya sa isang lugar sa Europa.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Lacson na plano niyang imbitahan si Co sa susunod na pagdinig ng Blue Ribbon Committee hinggil sa flood control scandal, at aniya’y maaari itong magbigay ng mahahalagang impormasyon dahil inilarawan ito bilang arkitekto ng mga iregularidad sa proyekto.
“He has been described as the architect of the mess, by inserting and allocating funds particularly to the Department of Public Works and Highways,” aniya.
Kapag nasa Pilipinas na si Co at may pahintulot na ng korte, sinabi ni Lacson na nais niyang dumalo ito sa pagdinig at humarap sa mga dating sundalo kabilang si Orly Guteza — at maging sa dating Speaker na si Ferdinand Martin Romualdez — “so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying.”
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